2012 PRS 513
The 513 was, to me, one of the most interesting guitars to roll out of the PRS shop. Boasting a unique pickup and wiring arrangement, it allows for incredible diversity in selecting and splitting pickups.
With 5 single coils and unique wiring, the 513 is able to deliver everything from single coil twang to humbucker crunch, in 13 total combinations.
5 coils, with 13 different configurations, the 513 is my personal "do it all" instrument.
It's totally gimmicky. And, if I'm honest, that's probably why PRS decided it wasn't super necessary.
You can absolutely notice a boost in volume/gain going between low and high output, but it's limited in use just by nature of being a blade switch. So, in "humbucker mode" you're either in low or high output, and it applies to each set of pickups in the same way. It would be VERY cool to be able to isolate either neck or bridge independently in low/high.
just spitballing, but I would guess the "low" humbucker mode was intended to be balanced when switching between single coil settings, and the "high" mode was there for a more traditional humbucker output.
Entirely possible. :) I'd love to get an interview with Paul on it to see what his thought process was during development.
At the end of the day, I love it for what it is. To me, one of the best things about PRS is that they're not really "bound by tradition" like Fender/Gibson, so Paul and crew can still experiment and change things up. The 513 is for sure the output of that experimentation, and the 509 is an evolution of that.
Don't get me wrong, if I had the money.... oh man the guitars I'd have... but I digress.